Farm briefs

The High Plains Underground Water District is asking board of directors candidates for precincts 3 and 4 to file applications by 5 p.m. Aug. 20.

Candidates can file applications in person from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the district office in Lubbock. Mail applications also should go to the district office — 2930 Avenue Q, Lubbock, TX 79411-2499.

The election will be on Nov. 6.

Precinct 3 covers Bailey County, part of Castro County and Parmer County. Carroll Cook of Friona is the current director.

Precinct 4 includes parts of Armstrong, Deaf Smith, Potter and Randall counties. Robert Meyer of Canyon is the current director.

Call 806-762-0181 for information.

Pesticide license training available

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Potter County will hold a class for those seeking a private pesticide applicator license on Aug. 9 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd.

The training will run from 8 to 11:30 a.m., and will prepare participants to take the Texas Department of Agriculture test for licensing.

The licenses are for agricultural producers and landowners who apply restricted pesticides on their own property.

The Sorghum Checkoff is taking applications for its first class to be groomed as leaders of the sorghum industry. Hands-on and classroom training will cover how sorghum moves to the consumer, industry outlooks, how checkoffs impact the industry and personal development.

Eligible applicants must be actively engaged in U.S. sorghum production.

Applications are due July 20. More information is available by visiting www.sorghumcheckoff .com/leadership, by email at leadership@sorghum checkoff.com or by calling 806-687-8727.

Ogallala takes hit from drought

Winter water measurements show the levels in the Ogallala Aquifer fell an average of 2.56 feet since 2011, the third largest loss since recording started 61 years ago.

“Extreme heat, low humidity and hot, dry wind caused increased supplemental irrigation in both the agricultural and urban sectors,” said William F. Mullican, a consultant for the district.

The biggest drop was in a well in Floyd County that declined 25.35 feet. There were 17 other wells that fell more than 10 feet.

Conservation grant proposals sought

The Natural Resources Conservation Service will take grant applications until Aug. 3 for its Conservation Innovation Grants program.

The program provides funds to stimulate the development and protection of environmental resources.

Work in the areas of water conservation, soil health and wildlife conservation will be considered this fiscal year.

Deadline for the proposals is 4 p.m. Aug. 3. Applicants must submit applications electronically through www .grants.gov. Instructions are posted on the site.